Justification of physical intimate partner violence among married men in East Africa evidence from the recent demographic and health survey (2015–2022): a multilevel analysis

IntroductionMillions of women and girls worldwide are impacted by physical intimate partner violence. While physical intimate partner violence (IPV) among women is largely associated with the justification of IPV, little is known about men's attitude toward physical IPV. The aim of our study wa...

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Main Authors: Kaleb Assegid Demissie, Demiss Mulatu Geberu, Getachew Teshale, Melak Jejaw, Misganaw Guadie Tiruneh, Tesfahun Zemene Tafere, Asebe Hagos, Lemlem Daniel Baffa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Sociology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1514917/full
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author Kaleb Assegid Demissie
Demiss Mulatu Geberu
Getachew Teshale
Melak Jejaw
Misganaw Guadie Tiruneh
Tesfahun Zemene Tafere
Asebe Hagos
Lemlem Daniel Baffa
author_facet Kaleb Assegid Demissie
Demiss Mulatu Geberu
Getachew Teshale
Melak Jejaw
Misganaw Guadie Tiruneh
Tesfahun Zemene Tafere
Asebe Hagos
Lemlem Daniel Baffa
author_sort Kaleb Assegid Demissie
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionMillions of women and girls worldwide are impacted by physical intimate partner violence. While physical intimate partner violence (IPV) among women is largely associated with the justification of IPV, little is known about men's attitude toward physical IPV. The aim of our study was to examine the factors associated with the justification of physical IPV among men in East Africa.MethodThe study used data from the male file (MR) of the most recent demographic and health survey, which was carried out in 10 East African countries. a weighted sample of 74,494 men who were either married or living with a partner as if married. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between the independent variables and justification of physical IPV.ResultThe pooled prevalence justification of physical intimate partner violence in 10 east African countries was 24.17% (95% CI: 19.45–28.90). The highest prevalence of justification of physical IPV was in Uganda (35.31, 95% CI: 34.09–36.53), and the lowest prevalence of justification of physical IPV was in Malawi (8.88, 95% CI: 8.03–9.73). The multilevel analysis shows that men's age, working status, respondents' educational level, number of wives, and household wealth status, sex of head of household, age of the household head, place of residence, as well as community level poverty, and community level education were factors associated with the justification of physical intimate partner violence.ConclusionIn East Africa, about 24% of men agreed that physical IPV is justified. Reducing the justification of physical IPV requires advancing men's educational standing, men's economic status, and increased media awareness, with a focus on rural men and promoting educational and awareness campaigns at community level is needed.
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spelling doaj-art-bae2e1e7386e4ef38faa702e9cd5f4e92025-08-20T03:24:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sociology2297-77752025-06-011010.3389/fsoc.2025.15149171514917Justification of physical intimate partner violence among married men in East Africa evidence from the recent demographic and health survey (2015–2022): a multilevel analysisKaleb Assegid Demissie0Demiss Mulatu Geberu1Getachew Teshale2Melak Jejaw3Misganaw Guadie Tiruneh4Tesfahun Zemene Tafere5Asebe Hagos6Lemlem Daniel Baffa7Department of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaDepartment of Human Nutrition, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaIntroductionMillions of women and girls worldwide are impacted by physical intimate partner violence. While physical intimate partner violence (IPV) among women is largely associated with the justification of IPV, little is known about men's attitude toward physical IPV. The aim of our study was to examine the factors associated with the justification of physical IPV among men in East Africa.MethodThe study used data from the male file (MR) of the most recent demographic and health survey, which was carried out in 10 East African countries. a weighted sample of 74,494 men who were either married or living with a partner as if married. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between the independent variables and justification of physical IPV.ResultThe pooled prevalence justification of physical intimate partner violence in 10 east African countries was 24.17% (95% CI: 19.45–28.90). The highest prevalence of justification of physical IPV was in Uganda (35.31, 95% CI: 34.09–36.53), and the lowest prevalence of justification of physical IPV was in Malawi (8.88, 95% CI: 8.03–9.73). The multilevel analysis shows that men's age, working status, respondents' educational level, number of wives, and household wealth status, sex of head of household, age of the household head, place of residence, as well as community level poverty, and community level education were factors associated with the justification of physical intimate partner violence.ConclusionIn East Africa, about 24% of men agreed that physical IPV is justified. Reducing the justification of physical IPV requires advancing men's educational standing, men's economic status, and increased media awareness, with a focus on rural men and promoting educational and awareness campaigns at community level is needed.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1514917/fulljustification of physical IPVmarried menEast AfricaDHSpooled
spellingShingle Kaleb Assegid Demissie
Demiss Mulatu Geberu
Getachew Teshale
Melak Jejaw
Misganaw Guadie Tiruneh
Tesfahun Zemene Tafere
Asebe Hagos
Lemlem Daniel Baffa
Justification of physical intimate partner violence among married men in East Africa evidence from the recent demographic and health survey (2015–2022): a multilevel analysis
Frontiers in Sociology
justification of physical IPV
married men
East Africa
DHS
pooled
title Justification of physical intimate partner violence among married men in East Africa evidence from the recent demographic and health survey (2015–2022): a multilevel analysis
title_full Justification of physical intimate partner violence among married men in East Africa evidence from the recent demographic and health survey (2015–2022): a multilevel analysis
title_fullStr Justification of physical intimate partner violence among married men in East Africa evidence from the recent demographic and health survey (2015–2022): a multilevel analysis
title_full_unstemmed Justification of physical intimate partner violence among married men in East Africa evidence from the recent demographic and health survey (2015–2022): a multilevel analysis
title_short Justification of physical intimate partner violence among married men in East Africa evidence from the recent demographic and health survey (2015–2022): a multilevel analysis
title_sort justification of physical intimate partner violence among married men in east africa evidence from the recent demographic and health survey 2015 2022 a multilevel analysis
topic justification of physical IPV
married men
East Africa
DHS
pooled
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1514917/full
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